However, we’ve taken careful notes, comparing the components the latest Royale IE shares with other eBikes we have ridden (including other Raleigh electric bikes). By discussing it with our team, we’ve developed a spec review of the latest model of the Retroglide Royale IE.
We hope our spec review will provide a general overview of what you can expect when riding the Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE electric bike.
The Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE is a mid-tier city commuter, so it provides performance close to a premium level eBike while being more affordable. One of its standout qualities is how light the frame is–though it is only available in one size and color option at the moment.
The Bosch mid-drive motor is compact, quiet, and powerful while providing a 45+ mile range in conjunction with the Bosch Powertube 400 Wh battery.
Shimano shifting is very reliable, with 8-Speed gear options to choose from, with similar consistent performance from the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.
While limited to one size, the saddle, grips, and handlebar are all stellar comfort inclusions as well. If you’re interested in a high-quality eBike to help you keep up with traffic without spending a ton of money, read our spec review to learn why we like the Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE!
Bike-Category: Class I electric bike. Pedal activated motor assistance up to 20 MPH.
Who It’s For: Cyclists who want an almost premium-level performance eBike on a tight budget. Especially well suited for those who want a stable bike used almost entirely for riding quickly or cruising around their city.
Bike Specs
- FRAME: 6061 Aluminum Alloy
- UI/REMOTE: Bosch Purion Display
- BATTERY: Bosch Powertube 400 Wh
- CHARGER: 2 Amp Charger
- MOTOR: Bosch Active Line Mid-Drive Motor, 250 W / 40 Nm
- CHAIN: KMC X8e EPT Chain
- SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano Acera
- CASSETTE: Shimano 12-32 T Cassette
- CHAINRINGS: FSA 38 T Chainring
- DERAILLEUR: Shimano Acera 8-Speed derailleur
- RIMS: Double Wall Aluminum Alloy 36 Hole
- TIRES: Schwalbe Fat Frank Tires, 26’’ x 2.35’’
- SADDLE: Raleigh Branded Velo
- STEM: Forged Alloy, Adjustable Height Stem
- HANDLEBARS: Aluminum Alloy, Mid-Rise, Swept Back Handlebars
- GRIPS: Raleigh Ergo Comfort Control
- BRAKES: Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 160 mm Rotors
- PEDALS: Oversized Plastic Platform Pedals
- KICKSTAND: Rear Mount Kickstand
- BELL: N/A
- HEADLIGHT: N/A
- TAIL LIGHT: Integrated Brake Light
- FENDERS: Aluminum Alloy Fenders
Pros
- Mid-level eBike that offers reliable performance in the city. Great for those who want a basic, easy to use commuter for getting to work or cruising around town.
- 6061 aluminum frame. Full aluminum construction, including fork and handlebars. It helps the Royale IE stay very lightweight, weighing about 45 lbs fully assembled.
- Bosch Powertube 400 Wh. Removable, but when mounted, integrates into the central downtube—45+ mile range on a full charge with optimal riding settings.
- 2 amp charger. Small and lightweight, so it’s easy to take with you when you commute around the city. Full recharge time is about 4 to 5 hours to go from 0% to 100%.
- Bosch Active Line mid-drive motor, 250 W / 40 Nm torque. Compact motor with a surprising performance given how small it is. Good enough for most city challenges.
- Shimano 12-32 T cassette with an FSA 38 T chainring drivetrain. 8-Speed gear control provides excellent control over your pedaling. Quality eBike chain and chain guide included.
- Bosch Purion display. A typical display you’ll find at this price level. A good mixture of readouts and riding settings, with a simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Schwalbe Fat Frank 26’’ x 2.35’’ tires. Balanced performance, with K-shield puncture protection for high-speed riding. Great wheel setup if you stick to city riding.
- Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes, with 160 mm rotors. You’ll come to a quick and steady stop when riding in the city, even if you’re going fast downhill—this is a long-lasting brake system.
- A few cool add-ons and other premium components. Oversized saddle, ergonomic grips, full fender coverage with mud flaps, and more. Solid mid-tier eBike option overall.
Cons
- Limited safety options. No headlight, no bell, no pedal reflectors, and little wheel reflection. You’ll want to buy some attachments to make this a safer eBike.
- Only available in one size at the time of this review. Available as a stand-over and step-through frame, which does help with sizing some.
- Limited suspension support. Designed for city riding only, but it won’t handle cobblestone and other uneven roads well.
Features
- 6061 Aluminum Alloy Frame
Single-size and color frame with limited customization options, but great performance for those looking for a new city commuter eBike. Lightweight, with a full assembly weight of around 45 pounds.
- Bosch Powertube 400 Wh
A removable integrated battery that hides in the central downtube, offering greater protection and energy efficiency for the battery. The estimated range with optimal riding settings is over 45 miles on a single charge.
- 2 Amp Charger
The standard charger that comes with many eBikes near this price point can recharge the battery in about 4 to 5 hours. Easy to pack, and you can charge the battery while it’s on or off the Royale IE.
- Bosch Active Line Mid-Drive Motor, 250 W / 40 Nm
A small mid-drive motor that has a strong push despite how compact the engine is. 40 Nm torque is good enough to help you climb most hills or keep up with traffic. Mid-drive motor results in a very natural and quiet motor riding experience.
- Bosch Purion Display
Standard, basic, and easy-to-use motor display typical for entry to mid-level priced bikes. Several pedal-assist options to choose from, along with the vital readouts you need to get a better understanding of your riding performance.
- Shimano 12-32 T Cassette with an FSA 38 T Chainring Drivetrain
8-Speed drivetrain, so you have more gearing options than what you might find on a mid-level city cruiser. Special eBike optimized chain and chain guard ensures you’ll hardly have a chain drop when you shift gears.
- Schwalbe Fat Frank Tires, 26’’ x 2.35’’
Comfort, cruiser style commuter tires that balance grip, acceleration, protection, and overall handling. Right size for riding in the city, helping you ride at high speeds without compromising on stability or traction support.
- Aluminum Alloy Handlebars with Rigid Aluminum Alloy Fork
Lightweight handlebars and fork that matches the same high-quality build as the rest of the eBike. Not a ton of suspension support, but ergonomic grips and a premium saddle will help you ride more comfortably over long distances.
- Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes, 160 mm Rotors
Hydraulic disc brakes have more stopping power, last longer, are more durable, and offer many other advantages over traditional mechanical disc brakes. 160 mm sized rotors provide sufficient stopping power for urban riding.
- Oversized Plastic Platform Pedals
Extra-large platform pedals are designed to accommodate cyclists with small or large feet alike. Serviceable plastic platform pedals, but we would recommend swapping them out for an aluminum alloy pedal for a better riding experience.
In-Depth Review
Frame
The Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE is constructed with a lightweight 6061 aluminum alloy frame. While other eBikes typically use 6061 aluminum for the frame and a couple of components, nearly every part of the Royale IE is constructed with 6061 aluminum alloy, helping it stay lightweight. The bike’s full assembly weight is about 45 lbs, and while not the lightest eBike we’ve reviewed, it’s lighter than many bikes out there.
While we appreciate the light frame, we aren’t quite as thrilled with having only one frame size. The Royale IE is available as both a stand-over and step-thru eBike, so it does have a more comprehensive height range than you might expect given the one size option.
If you’re between 5’0’’ and 6’2”, you’ll find it a very comfortable bike to ride. The step-thru option is better for shorter cyclists and the stand-over is made with taller riders in mind. Unfortunately, if you’re shorter or taller than the recommended height, you’ll need to consider a different Raleigh model instead of the Retroglide Royale IE.
Motor & Battery
The Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE is a class I eBike, with pedal activated motor assistance up to 20 MPH.
The Retroglide Royale IE has a high-quality Bosch Active Line mid-drive motor. The motor is small and compact, keeping the frame weight down, but still has a 250 W / 40 Nm torque motor output. You’ll be able to accelerate on flat surfaces quickly and climb up most city hills when riding. The motor doesn’t have the same performance level as a truly premium electric bike, but it comes close.
We’re pretty satisfied with the battery and charger combination for the Royale IE as well. The Bosch Powertube 400 Wh battery has a 45+ mile range with optimal riding settings, which should be more than enough to help you get to work or tour the city.
The battery is fully removable, but when installed, it integrates into the central downtube, keeping it hidden and well protected in a crash. A basic 2 Amp charger is included, and while it doesn’t offer rapid charging, it still gets the small battery recharged from 0% to 100% in about 4 to 5 hours. Charging can be done while the battery is mounted or removed from the eBike, so take your battery inside and charge it while woking so your eBike is ready to go when you head home for the day.
Display/Assist Modes
To change the settings and motor performance, you will be using a Bosch Purion display. It’s a small and compact controller, mounted on the left handlebar where the grip ends for easy reaching while you ride. The display itself is compact enough not to affect your handling while still large enough to make it easy to read while you ride.
We’re a bit mixed when the Purion is included on premium eBikes, but due to the Royale IE’s mid-level price, we think it’s a suitable display. Here are the readouts and riding settings you can expect on the Bosch Purion LCD Display:
Raleigh Retroglide Bosch Purion LCD Display Readouts, Metrics, and Settings:
- Current Speed
- Battery Level (Five Levels)
- Estimated Range
- Pedal Assist Level (Four Levels + Walk Mode)
- Trip Distance
- Total Distance
- Light Settings
Handling
- On Streets- The Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE is designed for riding in urban environments, with great handling as long as you’re on smooth, paved roads. The balanced tires are designed to provide adequate traction with fast acceleration, making it easier to cut corners and keep up with traffic. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes will ensure you come to a smooth and comfortable stop, even while riding at high speeds. One warning: The bike doesn’t have much in terms of suspension, so hitting cobblestone, gravel, or a pothole will feel rough. Stick to well-maintained roads and you’re going to have a fun and enjoyable time on the Retroglide Royale IE.
- Turn Radius- Turning is pretty easy on the Royale IE. The tires are a bit large and wide at 26’’ by 2.35’’, but not so large that they’ll have trouble fitting through doorways or turning on the spot. Being a little large allows the tires to provide some extra stability and better road traction, making it easier to perform a tight turn than some other city commuters. You’ll still want to be careful when rounding a corner at high speeds, but we appreciate the turn radius the Retroglide Royale IE electric bike has.
- Low-Speed Handling- The Retroglide Royale IE weighs about 45 pounds fully assembled, so overall handling is easier than a traditional, heavier electric bike. Low-speed handling won’t be a problem with the Royale IE, but you can make it even more comfortable if you use the motor. Set your pedal activated motor assistance to a low level, and you’ll get a small boost while riding so you can focus on your handling without accelerating too quickly. Alternatively, this eBike does have a walk mode option, so dismount from the eBike and turn it on to have the motor push your bike without pedaling. While both of these tips will use the battery, the drain is so low that your overall riding range will not be impacted significantly.
Gears/DriveTrain
Not every component on the Retroglide Royale is Bosch, with Raleigh instead opting for a Shimano 12-32 T cassette with an FSA 38 T chainring drivetrain. This drivetrain setup makes the Royale IE an 8-Speed eBike, providing somewhat more precision gear control than what you usually find on a mid-tier commuter eBike. Even better, the chain is a very high-quality KMC X8e EPT chain, explicitly optimized to handle the additional stress of being fed through an eBike motor system.
With the addition of a chain guide, you will seldom suffer a chain drop when you shift gears, even when riding at high speeds. From the pictures above, you can also see included is full aluminum alloy fender coverage with mud flaps. These will keep the overall drivetrain extremely clean. If you stick to city riding, you’ll hardly ever have to perform maintenance for the Royale IE electric bike making this bike convenient to own.
Brakes
You can look forward to the excellent stopping power provided by the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes have more stopping power, longer lifespans, outstanding durability, and other benefits that make them our preferred choice over mechanical disc brakes.
With 160 mm sized rotors, you’ll be able to come to a quick and steady stop quickly, keeping you safe if a car cuts you off or you accidentally miss your turn. The brakes can struggle when coming to a rapid stop while riding at high speeds down a hill, but if you keep your brakes in good condition, it can handle an occasional hill challenge without too much difficulty. So, just make sure you check your brakes before you go out on a ride, and you’ll be good to go as you head out for fun or exercise.
Suspension
There isn’t much suspension support on the Retroglide Royale IE, though how much that matters depends on where you live. Many commuter and racing eBikes don’t have suspension because suspension adds weight, slowing down the frame and limiting its overall range. If you live in an area with well kept paved roads, the lack of suspension is almost a good thing as it keeps the bike light and easy to handle.
However, the suspension becomes critical once you hit gravel, cobblestone, or a pothole while riding. This is especially true at high speeds, where even small bumps can be felt as vibrations echo up to your saddle. If you want to make your eBike more comfortable, we highly recommend adding a suspension seat post to the Retroglide Royale IE.
It won’t provide enough suspension support to help you tackle a trail, but a suspension seat post makes it more comfortable when you occasionally encounter rough paths. Otherwise, just stick to main roads as much as you can, and you’ll be fine riding the Royale IE eBike.
Pedals
The pedals are the only other component on the Retroglide Royale IE that’s a bit lacking. The pedals are built to be extra-large. Even larger and heavier cyclists will have a good place to rest their feet while they ride.
Unfortunately, the pedals are made of plastic instead of aluminum. Plastic doesn’t provide as much grip support and will be more likely to break if you crash. These pedals don’t have panel reflectors, making it difficult for a driver to spot a cyclist when riding behind or towards them.
After purchasing the Retroglide Royale IE, swapping out the pedals for aluminum alloy replacements is one of the first upgrades we think you should make for a safer ride.
Grips and Saddle
There isn’t much in terms of frame customization, but due to the high quality of several components on this eBike, you’ll have a more comfortable experience than expected. We like the Raleigh Ergo Comfort Control grips, which features both an ergonomic and padded design to help you ride for hours without irritating your hands.
These grips are mounted on the aluminum alloy handlebars, with a mid-rise and swept-back design so you can comfortably cruise to work or lean in for a more aggressive posture for really getting to work speedily.
The oversized Raleigh branded Velo seat is extra wide, designed so thin and heavy cyclists alike can feel very comfortable on the Royale IE eBike. The saddle and grips match and further improve the overall look of the Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE.
Wheels and Tires
Our review’s last significant performance section is the Schwalbe Fat Frank 26’’ x 2.35’’ tires, with aluminum alloy double-wall 36 hole rims. Both the front and back wheel have 14 gauge stainless steel rims, with a 20 to 55 PSI recommended inflation range. 20 PSI is better suited if you plan on cruising at the beach or on a boardwalk. The 55 PSI will provide better performance while riding at high speeds with traffic as you travel on smooth, well-paved surfaces.
The tires have K-shield protection–which not only protects against punctures–but also dramatically reduces the risk of a blowout when traveling at high speeds.
Designed for city riding, we would not recommend hitting even a light trail with this bike. While the wheel configuration could handle it, the frame doesn’t allow for steady trail riding. But riding through the city, you’ll definitely have a rapid, stable, and overall excellent riding experience with the Royale IE electric bike.
Accessories/Upgrades
The Raleigh Retroglide Royale has some cool add-ons and accessories that come with the stock model, add-ons that aren’t always present on a mid-tier eBike.
You have full fender coverage with mudflaps, a kickstand, and a rear cargo rack making the bike even better suited for city riding. However, the area where it does need significant improvement is the safety configuration.
Despite the Purion display having controllable light settings, there is no headlight on the Royale IE electric bike. The wheels have minimal reflection capabilities, and the pedals don’t even have reflector panels. You’ll be hard to see and failure to spot a cyclist is one of the leading causes of major cycling injuries. So we highly recommend making a few lighting upgrades for a much safer riding experience when purchasing the Royale IE eBike.
Recommendation
The Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE is a balanced, mid-level option for those who don’t want the expense of a true premium eBike, but who also won’t compromise when it comes to overall performance.
The 6061 aluminum alloy frame is commendable for its light 45-pound assembly weight. We do wish there were more frame options than the stand-over and step-thru design.
Bosch makes some of the best eBike motors on the market. The powerful mid-drive motor and an integrated removable battery help you travel over 45 miles on a single charge. You’ll have substantial gear control with the Shimano 8-Speed drivetrain, and you will stop relatively quickly with the Tektro mechanical disc brakes and 160 mm rotors.
The pedals are underwhelming, and the lack of safety features is concerning.
The Best Electric Bikes crew really appreciates the oversized saddle, ergonomic grips, kickstand, fenders, and the other great add-ons that are all included with the stock model. You’ll probably want to make a few upgrades for an actual, almost premium-level performance–and for safety.
The Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE is a great commuter option to consider for those who want a reliable, fun riding experience on a budget.
Thank you for reading our spec review of the Raleigh Retroglide Royale IE electric bike! Please leave a comment below if you want our review team to do a spec or video review for this electric bike.
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